Egyptian Protests Extend to Streets of New York

By Colin Moynihan
People protested against Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak outside the United Nations building in New York on Saturday. Chang W. Lee/The New York Times People protested against President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Saturday.

There were Egyptian flags fluttering in the chilly air. There were chants calling upon President Hosni Mubarak to resign. There were placards that read “Down With Mubarak” or “Leave and Let Live.” There were even a few singalongs of the Egyptian national anthem.

Several hundred people gathered on Saturday afternoon near the United Nations for a demonstration in support of the recent antigovernment protesters in Egypt. Participants came from New York City and beyond, buoyed, they said, by the hope that a wave of clashes taking place in Egyptian cities over the last few days might sweep Mr. Mubarak from office and usher in democratic reforms.

Many at the rally said they were originally from Egypt and that they thought Mr. Mubarak’s departure was long overdue.

“I was 14 years old when he took office,” said Khaled Dawoud, 43, a journalist from the Upper East Side. “We deserve better.”

Mr. Dawoud said that he was filled with nationalistic pride by the sight of people taking to the streets of Cairo and said the fact that large numbers of ordinary citizens were defying Mr. Mubarak’s curfew was a victory in itself.

“We defeated an oppressive police machine,” he said, identifying himself rhetorically with the protesters. “We were not afraid of the bullets.”

The protesters outside the United Nations building called for Mr. Mubarak’s resignation on Saturday. Chang W. Lee/The New York Times The protesters called for Mr. Mubarak’s resignation.

Some at the rally said that the United States should play a more vigorous role in encouraging the Egyptian demonstrators. Mongi Dhaouadi, the executive director of the Connecticut branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said that President Obama should issue a strong statement in their support.

Tarek Badreldin, 33, an engineer from Vermont, highlighted Mr.
Mubarak’s long and cordial relationship with the United States by holding aloft a sign with pictures of American presidents since 1981, contrasted with images of an aging Mubarak.

He was also concerned, like others interviewed, about the safety of relatives in Egypt. He juggled the sign and his cell phone as he dialed his wife, asking her to try again to reach his father in Heliopolis.

Near the end of the two-hour protest, the demonstrators sang while a group of men close to First Avenue waved a large Egyptian flag.
Nearby, Hatem Sabry, 27, said that he and his wife, Dahlia, had traveled to the rally from Philadelphia, where he is a student at the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania.

“We need the U.S. and the international community to choose the Egyptian people and not the Egyptian regime,” he said.

Karen Zraick contributed reporting.

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Jean Betancourt January 29, 2011 · 9:20 pm

It is very easy for the US asking for democracy while we fund with our taxes cleptocracies all over the Arab world. For our allies, not a single word about the abuses of the tyrants that govern, but for Iran and other countries, we like to call them “rogue states”.

tritonpsh@aol.com January 29, 2011 · 9:51 pm

But, but, George W. Bush said “they hate us for our freedom.” Sorry pal, they hate us because in country after country, the United States has funneled billions to the massively repressive military machines of the world’s most corrupt thug dictators. When are Americans going to open our eyes, not to the latest celebrity garbage on TV, but to the brutal behavior our government aids & abets, in our name.

kim January 29, 2011 · 10:06 pm

Go, Egyptians! You are heroes! Your brothers nad sisters of all nations and races are cheering you across the world!

V. C. Bhutani January 29, 2011 · 10:25 pm

Everybody – even in the US – can see the writing on the wall but not the president and the secretary of state. They should have realized that they are taking a position which places them on the wrong side of history. Nothing and nobody can save Mr Mubarak. If he does not go on his own and willingly, then he may be sent packing before very long, and perhaps he may meet the fate of Afghanistan’s Najibullah. It should have been possible for someone in Washington to put US leaders wise on this but it seems no one out there is realistic enough. They still think that they can talk Egyptians into “change” which may yet accommodate Mr Mubarak. There hsould have been some thought given to the question what Mr Mubarak for the people during the last 30 years. His record shall speak for him.
But we have in the US a president, a vice-president and a secretary of state who still swear by democracy and human rights but go on embracing dictators throughout the world. This is bound to lead to a wave of anti-Americanism in Egypt in due time. True to history, Americans, like the Bourbons, have learnt nothing and have forgotten nothing. V. C. Bhutani, vineycb1@vsnl.com, Delhi, India, Jan 30 2011, 0853 IST

chris martin January 29, 2011 · 10:26 pm

I stand with the protesters with peace and reform in there hearts… The people that are looting and killing there past are killing the cause.

Win with numbers, Not Rage!!!

freedom fighter January 29, 2011 · 10:38 pm

after countless years of the leaders of this country spreading democracy with violence over sea’s, our president and the politicians have a chance to finally prove that they have an unbiased, selfless want to spread democracy. No guns, no energy, no money, just a simple statement. “Mubarak, step down”. I guarantee the bridges we build with the Egyptians will give us a stronger influence in their politics than what we have with Mubarak.

drdave 1993 January 29, 2011 · 11:19 pm

Amazing how many women, albeit in full Muslim head coverings, appear in these pictures of a rally in NY. Now contrast that with the footage we’re seeing from Egypt, with virtually no women out on the streets at all.

-Mark January 30, 2011 · 12:26 am

“America just hung its best chance for peace” – the words of a senior Arab officer after the hanging of Sadam. Arab countries must have a strong leaders or they will forever have internal civil and tribal wars. Say hello to thirty years of hell in Giza. When it comes to politics Arab men can’t accept being defeated and will fight to save their precious honor.

-Mark January 30, 2011 · 12:31 am

Drdave, you make a good point. When I see “Americans” protesting for Egypt I wonder where their loyalties reside.

Bryce Bailer January 30, 2011 · 12:54 am

What if Mubarak suppresses the uprising with a massacre similar to Tiananmen Square in China? Would that quell down the insurgency or would that speed up his own demise?

C. Reaves January 30, 2011 · 6:03 am

Yes drdave, there is a big difference in the number of women protesting in NY and the total lack of women protesters in Egypt. But also think about the differences in the Egyptian protests and the Iranian protests of 2009, where women were ubiquitous in the anti-government protests. In many ways Iran has a much more advanced social structure than does Egypt.

My biggest concern is that unless Mubarak steps down, there is a risk that the protests will morph into religiosity and Egypt will turn into another repressive theocracy – with disastrous consequences for the West.

Hamptonacres January 30, 2011 · 6:34 am

Why should the US be involved in so much? You don’t see China or India sticking their noses in everyone’s business.
Does the US really have to send money and military aid to have friends? If so, then what kind of friends are those?
I agree that democracy needs to occur in Egypt. I personally did not know their leader had been in office for 30 years. I struggle through a 4 year presidental term here in the US, I can’t imagine 30 years! Yes, it’s time for a change.

gillian mciver January 30, 2011 · 8:06 am

US and Uk – what are you going to say to your troops in Afghanistan: that you supported a brutal dictatorship and denied the Egyptian people democracy and human rights, while you are sending the troops to their deaths in Afghanistan to “defend” democracy and human rights in Afghanbistan??? It does not make sense.

Lamiaa gouda January 30, 2011 · 8:54 am

Mubarak is the president for 30 years now, and he wants his son gamal to be the president after him!!!! he thinks Egypt is his kingdom.

Monica January 30, 2011 · 9:45 am

This message is for Dr. Dave and the other people who only watch western media coverage of the protests in Cairo (and New York)

I was the blond haired blue eyed AMERICAN protesting at the UN. I’m in a couple of the pictures in the WNYC article: //www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2011/jan/29/anti-mubarak-rally-anger-and-optimism-egyptians/

And as for the protesters, who you claim are mostly men. And the women in headscarves:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdny0FTBohg

Like this group, of men and women? Many of the women are not wearing headscarves. But it a personal choice for a woman to make, and none of your business. A personal religious freedom, like many of the freedoms Egyptians are fighting for today.

Seenaa January 30, 2011 · 10:12 am

Well put Jean Betancourt.

I wish that America and the rest of the western world learn a lesson or two from this and stop proping up dictators all over the world. There are so many ‘Mubaraks’ out there, one being Zenawi of Ethiopia, that live off of America’s tax payers money.

mzoeter January 30, 2011 · 11:06 am

Perhaps the US government is waiting to see what position Israel takes before it decides to support or oppose Mubarak. I imagine it would be in Israel’s interest for Mubarak to stay. Since Israel, with huge financial assistance from the US, calls the shots in the Middle East, we will just have to wait and see if Israel gives us its permission to call for Mubarak’s ouster.

Matthew January 30, 2011 · 1:15 pm

The police state is being cunning. They are sending out their thugs to loot, mug, and burn state treasures. They are charged with spreading anarchy so the state can come back through a popular need for law and order. But see how the people fight this by setting up security groups infront of museums and homes and searches of people entering the protests in the main square. God bless the people of Egypt. You are truly the worlds heroes. It has been truly inspiring to see your courage against such a brutal regime. May your story be inspiration to all people.

Geeti January 30, 2011 · 2:16 pm

@ drdave 1993: Photos of Egyptian women protesting here: //www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=268523&id=586357675

The question of footage is interesting. Media bias? Women being more camera-shy? No idea. Even going by some of the more mainstream accounts of the protests (e.g. Ahdaf Soueif’s on The Guardian), it doesn’t sound like the problem is a lack of a participation.

David Harrison January 30, 2011 · 4:55 pm

#7 makes a really good point. The lack of women in the demonstrations suggests of course that these are not pro-democracy, but pro-terrorist islamists hiding behind the desire for democracy.

If we are going to support democracy, lets start with China.

Look at Iran. Are the people really better off today under the radical muslims who want to supply A-bombs to terrorists, as opposed to the Shah?

Sara January 30, 2011 · 9:04 pm

drdave and others: Numerous people in Egypt have reported that the protestors were almost 50% women–and from all social classes. Interestingly, on Tuesday, one observer, I want to say Ben Wideman at CNN, noted that only 60% were wearing hijab–when in Egypt, it’s more the norm for 85-90% to wear hijab. I saw numerous women interviewed..on CNN.. on Al-Jazeerah… etc.

I will say that I doubt that was the case on Friday, when live ammunition started being used, but it was in the previous days.

But, you are right, that women do have rights in Iran–contrary to popular belief. They are very much apart of every aspect of society–including government… and make up a majority of University students.

Jackson January 30, 2011 · 9:46 pm

GOD, not allah the moon god, (look it up!) bless Egypt!

Tarus January 30, 2011 · 10:05 pm

It is so easy to write a protest comment–even when one doesn’t know how long Mubarak has headed Egypt; or whether he, the Muslim Brotherhood, the seculars, or “the street” will will win this revolution; or how it will affect other Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia. But we want to drive our cars when ever we want, although we are still oil dependent !

It is not so easy for a democracy to make decisions (look at our Congress) or deal with change (look at ourselves). Our current Administration has much to be aware of and, thankfully, has acted wisely.

It is so easy to write a protest comment.

Lamiaa gouda January 31, 2011 · 8:08 am

I was one of the protesters in NY, and I do wear the head scarf, I went there with my kids and husband, he was very happy to go there, that would not be the case if I was in egypt, only because we were expecting violance, and that’s exactly what happened, eastern men don’t let their women face that only out of respect and protection, not because they are terrorist, Christian Egyptian also didn’t send their women for the same reason… So it’s not a matter of religion, it’s a matter of protection.

David January 31, 2011 · 9:00 pm

Remember New Orleans after the hurricane? Most of the police did not show up for duty and the majority of those that did were afraid to venture out after nightfall because of the crime. It was up to the citizens to defend themselves. We see the same thing happening in Egypt. The 9/11 commission reported that it was not a matter of if — but when terrorists will attack the United States with a nuclear weapon. What do you think that will be like? Think you will need to be armed to protect your family? The NRA just reported that Obama is preparing to push gun control. For those that want privately owned firearms taken up by government – go ahead go unarmed – just don’t come looking for protection when society reverts to the law of jungle. Just keep thinking it will not happen to you and if it does the government will protect you — lololol. [when seconds count the police are only minutes away]